Question Please

Every year might be a bit much. I definitely send a Christmas card the year they publish me (although you need to be careful to use a generic "Season's Greetings" or "Happy Holidays" card, since you have no idea of the editor's religion. Don't presume, even if it's a religious publication.) They'll remember your name that first year.

A gift would depend on the level of publication, IMO. If they bought a book, a half dozen articles or as many stories, then sure -- send away. But getting a gift for one filler piece or short story would probably make them feel uncomfortable. After all, they're only doing their job. In other words, don't try to buy continued contact. It never works.

Good luck!

It's always nice to get a nice mail, but as Cathy says a gift is going too far. A thanks postcard is fine; a Christmas card is way too far unless you've worked with them on a novel or something.

Torgo said:

It's always nice to get a nice mail, but as Cathy says a gift is going too far. A thanks postcard is fine; a Christmas card is way too far unless you've worked with them on a novel or something.

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Well, I don't know--Jenna sent our whole office hot cocoa and cookies for Christmas last year. Much, MUCH nicer than the stuff I usually get in the mail at work.

I send both of my publishers a Christmas card every year, and my main editor I send a small gift for the holidays, usually a desk calendar.

I send thank you notes to editors who reject me (on major pieces, like novels) but not holiday cards unless I've met them in person.

Cards/gifts

I send Christmas cards to editors/agent, once a relationship has been established. And most of my editors start the ball rolling by sending me Christmas cards first.


But no gifts, unless the person is actually a personal friend outside of the business relationship.

I sure as heck don't send thank you cards when I'm rejected.

Wouldn't it depend on how much money you made from the place that published you? Are you talking about an editor at a book publishing house? If it was an article that maybe only generated some pocket change then buying them a gift would pretty much negate that fact that you made anything on that piece being published? It could get pricey real quick to do that for everyone that publishes you. And as writers well know, most of us don't make enough to even support ourselves decently.

I think a Christmas card might be okay but stamps add up. And those stamps you would be using for Christmas cards might be better used to send out your next submission.

Mrs75, you seem like a really nice and generous person but you have to think about your bottom line too. Writer's are basically small business owners.

Make them lots of money. That should be thanks enough.